Red, white and blue party accents

Add pizzazz to your backyard bash with these fun party accents made from around-the-house finds

Spark smiles with beachy lanterns

Large drinking glasses (or old glass vases!) step in as surprising yet stylish vessels for a twinkling display. To do: For each, collect an old glass tumbler or vase. Rinse the glass and dry, then pour one or two handfuls of sand into the vessel until it’s about one-quarter of the way full. Next, nestle a ribbon-wrapped candle into the sand and place the lantern on a tabletop. Note: Be sure to remove the ribbon well before the wick reaches it.

Add a hit of happy with nautical planters

These so-pretty pots made from beach pails offer fresh-picked flair anywhere, and they can double as sunny party favors! To do: For each, gather a mini beach pail from the garage or pick one up at the dollar store. Remove the handle. If your pail isn’t white, cover with white spray paint; let dry. Apply a nautical stencil to the front of the pail and use a small paintbrush to fill in with red paint. Let dry. Pop a “starter” plant inside the pail. To finish, wrap a sheer blue ribbon around the plant.

SECRET SOURCE: Under The Sea! Stencils, $5 per dozen, OrientialTrading.com

Make it sweet with sea-inspired flags

All it takes is some leftover wrapping paper, a dot of glue and a toothpick to create these modern maritime dessert picks. To do: Start by collecting a few sheets of red, white and blue gift wrap in various patterns. Use a pencil to draw 2" to 3" fish shapes on the paper, then cut out and trace them onto cardstock. Cut out the cardstock and paste the patterned paper on top of it. Next, hot-glue each fish shape to a toothpick. Finish by inserting the dessert picks into muffins or cupcakes and placing the treats on a serving tray.